Money Advent Calendar

How to use the money advent calendar

1. Choose how much goes in each day. Day number × amount saves $1 on day 1, $2 on day 2 and so on. Same every day saves a fixed amount. Random mix to a goal spreads your goal across the days in whole steps of your amount.
2. Set the amount and the number of days. 24 days counts down to Christmas Eve, 25 includes Christmas Day.
3. Check the total under the preview before you print, and adjust the amount until it fits your budget.
4. Add a title and a name if the calendar is a gift.
5. Print the calendar and color in or tick each day as you put the money aside.

The amounts are worked out in your browser. Use Copy link to keep the same calendar, including the shuffled order.

How much does a money advent calendar save?

The day-number total is the sum 1 + 2 + … + n, which is n × (n + 1) ÷ 2. For 24 days that is 300 times your amount. If that is too much, shuffle a smaller amount or use the random mix with a goal you choose.

Ways to use a money advent calendar

• Save for January: set aside cash each day so the holiday bills or a winter trip are covered.
• Gift it: give a child or a student a calendar with an envelope or pocket for each day. Print numbered envelopes with the money envelope template.
• Kids' coin calendar: use a small amount such as 25¢ so children can drop coins in a jar each day.
• Family challenge: everyone colors a day when they skip a purchase and moves that money to savings.
• Keep it going: after December, try the 100 envelope challenge or a no spend challenge calendar.

How to make a money advent calendar with pockets

The printed sheet works as a tracker on its own, but you can turn it into a real calendar with a pocket for each day:

1. Print the calendar on card stock and hang it on the wall or fridge.
2. Make the pockets. Use small paper envelopes, numbered with the mini size of the money envelope template, or clip one envelope to each day with a binder clip on a string.
3. Fill each pocket with that day's amount if you are giving the calendar as a gift, or leave them empty if you are saving.
4. Open or fill one pocket a day and color the matching box on the sheet.

For a coin calendar, small paper cups taped to a poster board hold quarters well and are easy for children to use.

Tips for sticking with it

• Shuffle the amounts so the biggest days don't all land in the expensive week before Christmas.
• Move the money the same day. A quick transfer to savings works as well as cash in an envelope.
• Catch up on weekends if you miss a day, then color both boxes.
• Hang the calendar where you see it every morning, such as the fridge.
• Keep only small amounts in cash at home. Bank the rest once a week.

This is a savings and gifting printable, not financial advice. Pick amounts that fit your budget.

Money advent calendar FAQ